A measles case was recently detected in Edmonton, returning from travel abroad.
If you were present at any of these locations on the date and times listed, please do the following:
On Wednesday, April 24, 2024 representatives from the Government of Alberta visited Siksika Nation to speak with Siksika Health Services’ CEO, Team Leaders, and Board members. Important topics such as the province’s “Refocusing Health Care in Alberta” initiative; Continuing Care and the Siksika Elders Lodge; Community Wellness, Mental Health, and Addictions; Primary Care; and Disabilities were addressed, and allowed for meaningful dialogue among the participants.
Over the last 10+ years, the Government of Alberta has undertaken a number of activities, reviews, and issued reports with the aim of improving access to healthcare in the province. From these, similar themes and recommendations emerged, leading to their refocusing on a single health care system model with 4 focused organizations: Primary Care, Acute Care, Continuing Care, and Mental Health & Addictions. Concurrently, Siksika Health Services continuously endeavours to listen, learn, innovate and evolve as a leader in healthcare, even amidst the jurisdictional, resourcing, and discrimination challenges that Indigenous people and organizations are up against.
As Siksika Health Board Chair, Marsha Wolf Collar reminded the group, quoting Siksika Nation Chief, Ouray Crowfoot: “We’re not asking for special treatment; we’re asking for equitable treatment.”
Siksika Health Team Leaders provided information about their programs and services, including:
Visiting provincial Ministers offered reflections on the innovative leadership shown by Siksika Health teams, and rounded out their visit with a tour of the Siksika Elders Lodge and Siksika Health & Wellness Centre.
Many thanks to Lisa Higgerty, ADM Indigenous Health, Corrine Schalm, ADM Continuing Care, Coreen Everington, ADM Addictions & Mental Health, Dana Mackie, ADM Seniors & Strategic Services, Tara White, Executive Director Mental Health & Addictions, Anna Wowchuck, Executive Director First Nations Relations, Enzo della Rocca, Director of Licensing & Compliance Emergency Medical Services, and Angella Gauthier, Director of Seniors Strategy & Program Support, for visiting Siksika. We look to the future with hope for meaningful change and equitable health outcomes for Siksika Nation members, and Indigenous people in Alberta.
Lisa Higgerty will be revisiting Siksika Nation on April 30, 2024 with the Government of Alberta’s Ministry of Health for an Indigenous health information gathering session. Siksika Nation members are invited to attend, at the Siksika Piiksapi Memorial Arbor to meet with their team, and share their perspectives on how to improve the health care system for Siksika Nation members, and Indigenous people across Alberta.
Monday, April 15, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Siksika Nation, AB – Wednesday April 17th, Siksika Health Services will host our annual Health Fair at the Siksika Piiksapi Memorial Arbor. The annual Health Fair is Siksika Health Services’ marquee event, honed and perfected over 22 years. As leaders in First Nations healthcare, mental health and wellness, and athletics, Siksika Health Services is proud to host UFC Hall of Famer, Georges “Rush” St. Pierre, who advocates for health and wellness by sharing his story of overcoming bullying as a young person, and adaptive athlete & Humboldt Broncos crash survivor, Ryan Straschnitzki, who inspires by sharing his story of overcoming hardships and pursuing dreams despite challenge. Improving and empowering youth mental health is the theme of this year’s event.
WHAT: 22nd Annual Siksika Health Services Health Fair
WHO: Siksika Health Services CEO & Health Fair 2024 Co-Chair, Dr. Tyler White
Siksika Health Services’ Health Fair 2024 Co-Chair, Vicki Yellow Old Woman
Georges St. Pierre, UFC Hall of Famer
Ryan Straschnitzki, adaptive athlete & Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor
WHERE: Siksika Piiksapi Memorial Arbor
(GPS Coordinates: 50.849562684859876, -113.11434868405672)
WHEN: 9:00am – 3:00pm Wednesday April 17th (media availability at 12:00pm)
Siksika Health Services is a leader Indigenous healthcare, guided by the traditional value of healing each other together. Siksika Health provides a wide range of quality health and wellbeing services to all Siksika Nation members and surrounding communities.
Additional Health Fair 2024 items of interest and the most up-to-date information can be found at https://siksikahealth.com/health-fair-2024. Special thanks to this year’s event sponsors: First Nations Health Consortium, Blackfoot Confederacy, Calgary Hitmen, LDI Solutions, Miller Thomson, Calgary Sports & Entertainment Corporation, and Alan Hallman.
There may be cultural aspects of the event you are asked not to cover; it’s important to be respectful and not take photos or film during certain moments. The event MC or Media contact will often direct this.
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For information contact:
Ryan Running Rabbit
Communications, Siksika Health Services
(403) 361 0584
As of April 1, 2024, due to the lack of doctor’s notes not being handed in, gas voucher’s will now be issued after the appointments with a confirmation of attendance note.
The precautionary boil water advisory remains in effect on Siksika Nation for homes located in Maps 4 & 4.1 (North Camp area) that are on the public water supply system. About 30 homes within the area are affected by this precautionary advisory; these households have been contacted directly, and provided with resource information to help mitigate health risks.
Advisories are issued for a number of reasons; a boil water advisory is issued in response to an event that may cause the water system to become contaminated with bacteria, or when harmful bacteria is detected in the lines. The current boil water advisory for Siksika Nation Map 4 and 4.1 was issued because of lowered pressure in the water lines from the treatment plant. When a pipe loses pressure, there is a possibility that bacteria can enter a pipe, so as a precaution, the Environmental Public Health Officer with Indigenous Services Canada issued an advisory. Boiling your water is an effective temporary measure that will destroy any bacteria that may be in the system, until lab testing confirms that there is none.
At this time, water service across Siksika Nation has been restored and Public Works has flushed the system. Siksika Health is currently sampling the water for any contaminants, and the Environmental Public Health Officer continues to monitor the situation.
Thank you, Siksika, for your patience while this situation is addressed, and for following recommendations to protect our health. The boil water advisory is expected to be cleared by Sunday; please keep an eye on official communication platforms for updates.
For more information and recommended guidance: https://siksikahealth.com/2024/01/18/boil-water-advisory-for-siksika-nation-maps-4-4-1/
At 2:15pm on January 15, 2024, the Deerfoot Sportsplex was emergently closed and evacuated due to a water main break, affecting the interior and exterior of the building. Siksika Emergency Services, Public Works, and Sportsplex clean-up crews and maintenance are presently onsite to contain and assess the situation, and move water out of the building as required. Sportsplex staff have been safely evacuated from the facility; programs and services are cancelled for the remainder of today and through the week as required.
Siksika Nation members and the community-at-large are asked to please refrain from accessing the Deerfoot Sportsplex building and property during this time, such that essential crews can do their work effectively. Please stay tuned to official Siksika Health communications channels for updates.
Okiwa niksokowaiks, nitakaiks, nitsitapimaiks,
On behalf of Siksika Health Services, CEO Dr. Tyler White wishes our communities a safe and restful holiday season, and a healthy and prosperous new year.
We would also like to extend heartfelt condolences to our families and friends for loved ones lost during this past year; may you be blessed with strength, courage and comfort at this time and ongoing. And to our Siksika Health Services staff, partners, and teams: thank you for your time, commitment, and dedication in serving our people.
Please join us in offering prayers for our elders, spiritual leaders and leadership for their continued wisdom and guidance as we move forward into 2024.
~ Dr. Tyler White, Natoyiipiitawotaan (“Holy Eagle Shield”)
Primary health care is the first point of contact Albertans have with the health care system, and includes health professionals such as family doctors, nurse practitioners and pharmacists.
Last fall, health care leaders, Indigenous partners and experts from across Canada and around the world came together to form advisory panels as part of the Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Health Care System (MAPS) initiative. The panels identified immediate, medium- and long-term improvements to strengthen Alberta’s primary health care system.
Alberta’s government will begin moving forward on the recommendations in the final report to improve access to primary health care for all Albertans. The recommendations will be implemented through a phased approach, with several moving forward immediately, followed by medium- and longer-term improvements that will enhance community-based primary health care across Alberta.
“Today marks an important step in the work I am undertaking to enhance primary care as the foundation of our health care system. The Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Health Care System (MAPS) reports clearly identify the challenges our system is facing, and their release signals this government’s commitment to take immediate and ongoing action to support and stabilize primary health care in our province. I look forward to the ongoing work of implementing needed changes with our health care partners and providers.”Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health
Several immediate actions are being taken, all of which are consistent with recommendations from the panels. These actions are critical to ensuring Albertans have better access to health care when and where they need it. Alberta Health continues to work toward implementing recommendations over the medium and long term.
“The MAPS recommendations represent a huge leap forward for our primary health system – strengthening and clarifying governance, community involvement, and recognizing the importance of integrated team-based care that allows Albertans to access primary care from the most appropriate team member at the right time, in the right place. This is how we can ensure equitable access to care across our province.”Dr. Janet Reynolds, co-chair, MAPS strategic advisory panel
Alberta’s government is acting immediately on recommendations to improve primary health care and increase Albertans’ access to the medical care they need, including:
“We know that a strong primary health care system is foundational for better health care for Albertans, and that starts with access to a family physician and a team of dedicated providers. Primary care requires dedicated planning, resourcing and coordination. We are pleased to join the task force and believe continued collaboration and immediate action will bring us closer to our collective vision.”Dr. Noel DaCunha, president, Alberta College of Family Physicians
“The Nurse Practitioner Association of Alberta is elated to see the newly released MAPs report, which provides direction for primary care reform and includes the full integration of nurse practitioners. The Government of Alberta is taking a significant and essential step in improving access to primary care for Albertans. This announcement is a win-win for Albertans and nurse practitioners, as it recognizes the valuable contributions of NPs delivering high-quality care for Albertans and their ability to decrease the stress on the health care system. We are excited about the future of primary care in Alberta.”Dr. Susan Prendergast, president, Nurse Practitioner Association of Alberta
“These actions are welcome news for rural Alberta. Ensuring Albertans have access to health care professionals when and where they need it is essential. This work will help to solve some of the unique challenges for rural Albertans by encouraging health professions to practise in rural parts of the province.”Martin Long, parliamentary secretary for rural health
Indigenous Peoples face many barriers to access appropriate health care. To support better health outcomes, the government will build more meaningful connections with Indigenous leaders and communities to identify improvements that reflect the unique nature of their communities. Immediate actions include:
“It is unacceptable that Indigenous Peoples continue to face so many barriers when accessing primary health care. It is crucial that all First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples have equitable access to community-based primary health care that is culturally safe, respects their unique needs and is free of racism. These immediate actions will help us achieve that goal.” Rick Wilson, Minister of Indigenous Relations
“The panel’s recommendations provide a clear and stable pathway to create a safe, culturally appropriate primary health care system that includes Indigenous people as partners and leaders at every stage of the development, governance and delivery of health care services. The best solutions exist within our respective communities, tailored for our unique needs and priorities. The commitments made today are an important first step toward improving health equity for Indigenous Peoples, regardless of where they live in Alberta.”Naa Taoyi Piita Wo Taan, Dr. Tyler White, CEO, Siksika Health Services and co-chair, MAPS Indigenous Primary Health Care Advisory Panel
[source: Alberta.ca]